Michigan, USA – The Chaldean community welcomes their newest Catholic priest, Fr. Rudy Zoma, 28, of the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle. On Saturday, July 4th, Chaldeans from all over joined the ordination Mass of the new priest. Guests, seminarians, and visiting clergy from across the globe participated in the celebration.

Fr. Rudy is the third American Chaldean priest with five other American born seminarians to soon graduate and join the prestigious rank of priestly vocation among Chaldeans.

“Fr. Rudy is an incredible person,” says Britney Allos. “He really is involved with the younger generation and is a great speaker. He can be serious and he can be funny.” Fr. Rudy Zoma helped establish an English youth bible study at Mother of God Parish and was instrumental in helping the Chaldean parish soccer team repeatedly win the indoor Catholic College classic championship over Ave Maria, St. Mary MTS, and the other college teams. “The amount of guests who arrived to his ordination celebration is a testament to his leadership and community support,” said Anthony Sako, parishioner of Mother of God parish.

[Photos at the end of the article]

During the ceremony Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim announced that Fr. Rudy would be assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Troy, Michigan and invited him to speak directly to the congregation. Fr. Rudy thanked the guests for their support and in his sermon reminded parishioners that his vocation is a witness to the church of martyrs who have sacrificed their lives since Christ walked the Earth proclaiming the Good News. “For 2,000 years we have been killed for our faith in Jesus. Yet we multiply and spread throughout the world,” Fr. Rudy said.

The newly ordained priest went on to passionately proclaim the need for persecuted Christians to share their love of Christ, without fear in Iraq and without Shame in America.

Following the ordination were numerous parties and gatherings including the Chaldean Diocese hosting an outdoor community congratulatory gathering. Desserts and refreshing drinks were given to thousands of guests as folks mingled, received “First Blessings”, and congratulated Fr. Rudy. (For photos of the congratulatory gathering readers are asked to click on the hyperlink at the end of the article.)

Becoming a Catholic priest is much like studying for any other vocation. Participation in studies to become a priest does not obligate one to finally be a priest any more than going to law school means one must become a lawyer. Usually to become a priest, one must fulfill many requirements.

How does one become a priest?

There are two defining steps to becoming a priest, and both of them are very important.

Step #1: Internal Discernment

This part may involve many years. Some people think about priesthood for a long time - even from youth. Some, after discovering the call, act on it right away. Others discover this call only later in life (for some, much later). Here some of the ways that often help to bring one’s call into focus: Reflection, prayer, and listening to God.

• Being involved in one’s parish
• Going to Mass regularly
• Receiving the sacraments
• Getting involved in some type of Christian or community service
• Trying to live a good Christian moral life

The Director of Vocations (at the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Director of Vocations is Fr. Frank) directly facilitates the on-going discernment process for individuals interested in becoming candidates for priestly formation.

Step #2: Priestly Preparation

Programs to assist Chaldeans interested in the diocesan priesthood include:

The Affiliate Program - This program is primarily for men 18-40, and is designed for those potential candidates in the early discernment stages of their call to priesthood. Interested men meet monthly for discussion, support and prayer. This program is for potential candidates who are open to the possibility of priesthood.

Seminary Program - If you are accepted by the Vocation Office as a Chaldean diocesan priesthood candidate, then you will attend a seminary. The seminary program will focus on: your formation as a priesthood candidate, theological studies, and your spiritual journey. Candidates usually have to take one or two years of philosophy studies in addition to theological studies, prior to graduate-level theology.

Chaldeans interested in a priestly vocation can contact St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Parish at

Rev. Jacob Yasso was born in the village of Telkaif, Iraq. After completing high school he was recruited to Rome and Urbaniana University where he completed his Masters Degree in philosophy and Theology. Fr. Yasso was ordained a priest in 1960 and served the Diocese of Mosul, where he worked in the public school system. Fr. Yasso was also asked by the Patriarch to teach at the Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad, where he served as administrator, professor of philosophy and religious life, and rector of the minor seminary.

In 1964, Fr. Yasso was appointed to the United States to serve the growing Chaldean community in Detroit. There he served as the 4th Pastor of Mother of God Parish. . In 1972, the Patriarch charged Fr. Yasso with building a new parish for the Chaldeans in Detroit. In taking great pains to care for the community Fr. Yasso accelerated the development of a new church and community center. In 1975, Fr. Yasso completed the development of Sacred Heart Parish in Detroit and shortly thereafter he added the Chaldean Center of America in 1980,

A few years later in 1982, Fr. Yasso was asked to assist the late Fr. Kattoula at St. Peter’s Church in San Diego, CA. Before long, Fr. Yasso was once again recruited to Rome to study new Canon Law of the Church. While in Rome Fr. Yasso completed his third Masters Degree in Church Law, making him the only Chaldean priest trained in Canon Law.

In 1988, the Patriarch and Vatican authorities asked Fr. Yasso to travel to Canada and establish a parish and community center. While there he served as a Tribunal Judge for the Archdiocese of Toronto. Four years later Fr. Yasso returned to Sacred Heart church in Detroit to help care for the remaining Chaldean community residence in the Detroit area. To this day, Fr. Yasso continues to serve as the parish pastor creating activities and advising the City of Detroit on community related matters.

Fr. Yasso is a member of the International WYCLIF Bible translators, since 1975, and has completed the translation of the New Testament from Greek and Aramaic into Arabic and spoken Chaldean. The publication of his scholarly work is set to be released soon.